Duet 3 Mini Expansions

Diamondback

Hello,

I'm currently looking into buying a member of the Duet 3 family for my 2nd printer.
In the future, the new board should be able to drive a toolchanger with 4 tools though.
I've read about the differences between the Mini and 6HC and I am now worried that the Mini can't drive enough CAN expansion drivers for this goal.

Is there now more information about how many CAN drivers the Mini can drive? Is 4 toolboard expansions still possible? For my printer I need 6 drivers for the motion system (XY, 3xZ, tool locking), so from what I understand the Mini & Mini 2+ expansion are needed for that alone. I'd then like to have my 4 tools connected via toolboards (or 3HC expansion for non DD tools).

Is all of this possible with the Mini?

I'm also wondering about the future motion planner upgrades, is there any hint yet that those features might require more hardware capabilities than what is available in a Mini?

It basically boils down to: I'd like to avoid buying the expensive 6HC and get the Mini instead if I can be sure that it can take the required CAN extensions.

Thank you!

jay_s_uk

Please see this topic https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/20709/duet-3-mini-5/4

Currently the firmware limits for the Duet 3 Mini are 4 CAN-connected expansion boards with up to 7 drivers total on them. I can easily increase the maximum number of CAN boards if necessary, provided they don't overload the processor. If only one tool board will be used at a time (e.g. on a tool changer), that will help because a tool board that isn't moving needs very little main board processor resource.

The Duet 3 Mini can be used with the tool distribution board if you make up a cable with a 2-pin Molex KK connector at one and and RJ11 (6p2 or 6p4) connector the other end. There is a photo of this cable at https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/CAN_connection.

Diamondback

Thanks for the info, I've went ahead and ordered a Mini